Introduction

There are several education benefits and financial
incentives available through the Minnesota National Guard.
Opportunities include college benefits, tuition assistance,
scholarships, financial bonuses, and a variety of other
programs. Members of the Minnesota National Guard may
qualify for additional education benefits and scholarships
funded by the State of Minnesota that are in addition to
other Federal benefits.

Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)

Eligibility:

You must be a member of the MN National Guard.

You are eligible for STR for classes that you attend AT AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE after completion of basic training.

State policy requires Minnesota National Guard Soldiers - officers and enlisted - to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) in GoArmyEd.com BEFORE they are eligible to apply for State Tuition Reimbursement (STR).

You must remain in the Minnesota National Guard during the entire term of courses.

E1 to O5, including Warrant Officers are eligible for State Tuition Reimbursement. The lifetime maximum State Tuition Reimbursement benefit is 208 quarter or 144 Semester credits.

State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have satisfactorily completed their service contract in the Minnesota National Guard who served honorably in federal active service or federally funded state active service since September 11, 2001.

Eligibility is extended for a period of two years, plus the amount of time equal to the duration of that person's active service.

State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have been separated or discharged from that organization due to a service-connected injury, disease, or disability.

Eligibility period is extended for eight years beyond the date of separation.

Rate:

The Undergraduate reimbursement rate is up to 100% of the undergraduate rate of the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities Campus with a maximum yearly benefit of $17,000 per fiscal year (01 JUL through 30 JUN).

The Graduate reimbursement rate is up to 50% of the graduate rate of the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities Campus with a maximum yearly benefit of $18,000 per fiscal year (01 JUL through 30 JUN).

Reimbursement Application Procedures

To apply for State Tuition Reimbursement you MUST contact your unit full-time representative to ensure you have a current, completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file as well as state Direct Deposit and W9 Tax forms. [All forms are available at the unit.]

How do I get reimbursed?

Service members must complete the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and turn in to their unit prior to submitting their payment request form, grades and tuition/fees statement. This is a one-time form unless there are policy changes requiring the form to be updated.

Service members must submit the following forms and supporting documents to the unit NO LATER THAN 90 Days from the last official day of the course/term:

Minnesota GI Bill

The Minnesota GI Bill program provides assistance to eligible Minnesota Veterans, currently serving military, National Guard and Reserve members who served after September 11, 2001 and eligible spouse and children. The Program provides a maximum benefit of $10,000, up to age 62. Eligible participants can use the benefit in Higher Education, On-the-job training (OJT)/Apprenticeship or License and Certification.

This program is different than the Federal GI Bill (Montgomery, Post 9-11, Veterans Education Assistance Program, Dependents Education Assistance Program, or Vocational rehabilitation).

Please go to www.mymilitaryeducation.org and select MN GI Bill, listed under Hot Topics for eligibility requirements, required application forms and associated links for each area under the MN GI Bill.

Federal

Federal Education Benefits

Tuition Assistance Policy changes effective 5AUG18 for all Army Soldiers:

On August 5, 2018, the Army’s Tuition Assistance (TA) policy will change.

The new policy will allow Soldiers to use TA after successful completion of AIT, OCS or BOLC.

Soldier eligibility for FTA will be determined by two different tier levels based on their previous civilian education level.

Tier 1: Soldiers who have a) not attained a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue an undergraduate certificate/diploma, or associate or bachelor's degree; or b) have previously attained a bachelor's degree without the use of TA and who wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate certificate/diploma or master's degree.

Soldiers establish tier 1 TA eligibility as follows:

Enlisted Soldiers who have graduated Advanced Individual Training.

Warrant officers who have graduated Warrant Officer Basic Course.

Officers who have graduated Basic Officer Leaders Course.

Tier 2: Soldiers who previously used TA for any portion (even one credit) of their undergraduate degree, have attained a bachelor's degree, and wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate certificate/diploma or master's degree.

If TA was used for any portion of the undergraduate degree, Soldiers establish tier 2 TA eligibility for pursuit of a master's degree as follows:

Eligibility will be for up to 16 semester hour credits per military fiscal year.

Soldiers will receive up to $250 per semester hour for up to 130 semester hours for completion of an associates or bachelor’s degree and up to 39 semester hours for a master's degree.

As stated in previous policy, Soldiers cannot use TA for a second equivalent degree, i.e., no second bachelor’s or master's degree. All courses must be part of an approved degree plan. TA cannot be used for first- professional degrees (PhD, MD or JD). In addition to DA adverse action flags, we will continue our policy to not allow TA for Soldiers who are flagged for APFT/AWCP.

NOTES:

SOLDIERS USING TA SHOULD CONFIRM THEY HAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THEIR GAE ACCOUNT.

This may be a personal email address the Soldier frequently uses.

E-MAILS GENERATED BY THE GOARMYED.COM SYSTEM CANNOT BE REPLIED TO.

FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH TA SOLDIERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL HIGHER EDUCATION VETERANS PROGRAM (HEVP) REP, THE GAE HELPDESK PHONE NUMBER, OR THE J1 EDUCATION OFFICE AT 651-282-4589 OR NG.MN.MNARNG.MBX.ASSETS-EDUCATION@MAIL.MIL

Monitor your e-mails for more information from GoArmyEd (GAE).

The FTA will fund up to 100% of tuition ONLY at a maximum amount of $4,000 per Fiscal Year and up to $250 per Semester Hour (SH) for degrees including Secondary School Diploma or it equivalency; Certificates (undergraduate, graduate, vocational or technical); Associates or Baccalaureate (undergraduate); Master's (graduate).

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

The Montgomery GI Bill is a program of educational benefits available to members of the Minnesota National Guard. For eligibility and application information, go to www.GIBill.va.gov

Spousal Education

Spouse Tuition Reimbursement Benefit

The State of Minnesota has authorized spouses to use the remaining balance of a Service member's State Tuition Reimbursement, not to exceed 12 semester credits per year. Service members must meet the following criteria for their spouse to be able to use a portion of the remaining balance of their State Tuition Reimbursement Grant.

Are serving satisfactorily as defined by the Adjutant General in paragraph 1-7; and

Have served at least 8 years of [active-drilling, non-ING] service in the Minnesota National Guard.

Are between the ranks of E-1 thru O-5 (to include Warrant Officers). Spouses of Officers promoted to the grade of O-6 (Colonel) during the school term are eligible to use the State Tuition Reimbursement Program until the end of that term.

Annual Cap - Spouses may use up to 12 semester/17 quarter credits annually, not to exceed the sponsoring Service member's lifetime benefit of 144 semester/208 quarter credits.

Spouse tuition reimbursement is counted towards the Service members maximum yearly undergraduate benefit of $17,000 per year or Graduate benefit of $36,000 per year. Payment Procedures will remain the same as for the Service member, and all payments will be direct deposited into the sponsoring Service member's bank account.

Testing Websites

There are testing opportunities offered at National Test Centers (usually colleges) and the Education Service Office. Tests range from certification exams and college-credit-by-examination programs to language aptitude and military classification tests. Military personnel, spouses and eligible civilian employees are eligible to test.

GED

ASVAB

ASVAB and AFAST (SIFT) tests are available through our office. For more information or a point of contact to take an exam, contact our office at: 651-282-4589, or email us at: ng.mn.mnarng.mbx.assets-education@mail.mil